U.S. patent number 5,402,310 [Application Number 08/092,315] was granted by the patent office on 1995-03-28 for docking apparatus for a portable data processing unit having undercuts as guide members.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dell USA, L.P.. Invention is credited to Mark B. Penniman.
United States Patent |
5,402,310 |
Penniman |
March 28, 1995 |
Docking apparatus for a portable data processing unit having
undercuts as guide members
Abstract
An apparatus for docking a data processing unit in which a guide
plate extends over a portion of the floor of a housing for
receiving the bottom of the unit. Two guide members are disposed at
the respective ends of the guide plate for receiving corresponding
surfaces formed on said unit. Each of the guide members defines a
guide surface that increases in size in a direction toward the rear
wall for engagement by the corresponding surfaces of the unit to
gradually center and lock the unit in the housing as the unit is
inserted into the housing.
Inventors: |
Penniman; Mark B. (Austin,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Dell USA, L.P. (Austin,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
22232661 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/092,315 |
Filed: |
July 14, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.43;
361/679.44; 361/727; 439/377 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/1632 (20130101); H05K 7/1418 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
1/16 (20060101); H05K 7/14 (20060101); H05K
005/02 (); H05K 007/10 (); G06F 001/16 (); H01R
013/64 () |
Field of
Search: |
;364/708.1 ;312/223.2
;439/64,374,377 ;361/683-686,725-727,741,756,802 ;345/905 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Phillips; Michael W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Huffman; James Kice; Warren B.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A docking apparatus for docking a data processing unit having
surfaces defined by diagonal undercuts said docking apparatus
comprising a housing having a rear wall, a floor extending from
said rear wall, a guide plate extending over a portion of the floor
for receiving the bottom of the unit, and two guide members
respectively disposed at the ends of said guide plate for
respectively receiving corresponding surfaces formed on the unit,
each of said guide members defining a guide surface that increases
in size in a direction toward said rear wall for respectively
engaging the surfaces on the unit to gradually guide the unit to a
centered and locked position with respect to said housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide surfaces of said
guide members increase in width in a direction towards said rear
wall whereby said guide members center and lock the unit laterally
with respect to said housing.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide surfaces of said
guide members increase in height in a direction towards said rear
wall whereby said guide members center and lock the unit vertically
with respect to said housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide surfaces are formed
by diagonal undercuts in said respective guide members which
correspond to the undercut surfaces formed on the unit.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said guide surfaces of said
guide members extend in the respective undercuts of the unit, and
surfaces of the unit extend in the respective undercuts of said
guide members, in said centered and locked position of the
unit.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide members are formed
integrally with said guide plate.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a platform extending
over said floor of said housing for receiving said guide plate, and
means for advancing said platform towards said rear wall of said
housing to complete said docking.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of each of
said guide members adjacent its corresponding guide surface acts as
a bearing surface for corresponding surfaces of the unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a docking apparatus and, more
particularly, to such an apparatus for docking portable data
processing units of various sizes.
With the advent of portable data processing units such as handheld
laptop and notebook computers, docking stations have been utilized
for charging the unit's batteries as well as powering the unit and
connecting it to a variety of external peripherals to transfer data
to and from the unit. In the latter Context, high density
multiconductor pin and socket connectors are provided on the data
processing unit and the docking station and are adapted to transfer
the appropriate electrical signals. Since the pins in these
connectors, as well as their corresponding sockets have to be
closely spaced, precise alignment of the portable unit in the
docking station is critical.
The side-to-side alignment of the portable unit relative to the
docking station is typically controlled by closely matching the
distance between two upright side walls of the docking station with
the width of the data processing unit. Thus it is impossible to
accommodate units having even a slight variation in width since
this would compromise the above-mentioned electrical connectors.
Moreover, these walls prevent side access to computer
communications (PMACIA) cards and the like.
Further problems exist in prior art docking stations in connection
with accommodating portable data processing units having different
heights, or thicknesses. More particularly, most prior art docking
stations provide a lower wall, or floor, on which the unit slides
into place with the assistance of gravity while an upper, or top,
wall is not provided in order to accommodate units of different
heights. However, this permits unrestricted upward movement of the
unit and thus exposes the mated electrical connectors to damage
when a lifting force is applied to the data processing unit. Some
docking stations utilize various techniques, such as the provision
of cooperating rails and tracks on the respective side walls of the
portable unit and the docking station to eliminate this upward
movement. However, these designs prevent the use of ports or the
like on the side walls of the portable unit, usually involve extra
parts, are obtrusive and add to the cost and complexity to the
docking station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
docking apparatus for docking data processing units having various
sizes.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
docking apparatus of the above type which also prevents upward
movement of the docked data processing unit.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
docking assembly of the above type which insures proper alignment
of the data processing unit while permitting ports, and the like in
the side walls of the unit.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
docking apparatus of the above type which achieves the foregoing by
a discrete and unobtrusive design which is relatively
inexpensive.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a
docking apparatus of the above type which is easy to manufacture
and does not require extra parts.
Towards the fulfillment of these and other objects the docking
apparatus of the present invention includes a housing for receiving
the portable unit and having a guide plate extending on the floor
of the housing. Two guide members are respectively disposed at the
ends of the guide plate for receiving corresponding surfaces formed
on the unit. Each of the guide members has an undercut which
defines a guide surface that increases in width and height in a
direction towards the rear wall to gradually center and lock the
unit in the housing as the unit is inserted in the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above brief description, as well as further objects, features
and advantages of the present invention will be more fully
appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of
the presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in
accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the docking apparatus of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower, rear portion of a data
processing unit adapted for docking to the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A-3F are sectional views taken along the lines 3A--3A
through 3F--3F, respectively, of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 along
with the docked portable data processing unit of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The docking apparatus of the present invention is shown in general
by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and includes an open housing
having a floor 12, two upright spaced sidewalls 14 and 16, and a
rear wall 18. A slot, or opening, 18a is provided in the rear wall
18 through which a drive bar 20 extends. The drive bar 20 is
connected between a motor 22 mounted externally of the rear wall 18
and a drive rail 24 which is connected to, or integral with, a
moveable platform 26 resting on the floor 12. An electrically
actuated trip switch 28 extends through aligned openings formed in
the floor 12 and the platform 26 and in the path of the portable
unit to be docked, to actuate the motor 22 and drive the platform
26 in a direction toward the rear wall 18 as will be described.
A guide plate 34 extends over and rests on the platform 26 and is
attached thereto in any known manner. The guide plate 34 extends
for the entire width of the platform 26 and from the leading edge
of the platform to a position slightly spaced from the opposite or
rear edge of the platform, as shown. A high-density, multipin
connector assembly 30 extends from the rear wall 18 with its
leading end positioned immediately adjacent the platform 26.
Although not clear from the perspective view of FIG. 1, it is
understood that the connector assembly 30 is slightly spaced above
the platform 26 to permit movement of the platform under the
assembly 30, as also will be described. A retractable tab 36
extends through elongated slots formed in the floor 12, the
platform 28 and the guide plate 34 to mechanically engage a
corresponding slot formed in the bottom of the docked portable
unit. Two guide members 40 and 42 are provided at the respective
ends of the plate 34 and can be formed integrally with the latter
plate. The guide members 40 and 42 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 depicts a portable data processing unit, such as a laptop
computer 50, which is adapted to be docked in the apparatus 10. To
this end, a pair of notches 52 and 54 are formed in the lower rear
portion of the unit 50 which engage the guide members 40 and 42
during docking to guide and secure the unit 50 relative to the
apparatus 10. Each of the notches 52 and 54 has a diagonal undercut
which defines diagonal surfaces 52a and 54a, respectively. The
notches 52 and 54 and their respective diagonal surfaces 52a and
54a extend from the rear of the unit 50 to a point approximately
intermediate its front end and rear end.
A slot 56 is provided in the lower plate, or floor, of the unit 50
for receiving the tab 36 of the docking apparatus 10, and a
multi-socket connector assembly 58 is provided in the rear end of
the unit 50 for mechanically and electrically engaging the
connector assembly 30 of the apparatus 10, as also will be
described.
The shape of the guide member 40 and its relation to the unit 50 is
shown with reference to FIGS. 3A-3F, it being understood that the
guide member 42 is shaped similarly. As shown the guide member 40
tapers in cross-section from a relatively small size at the leading
edge of the plate 34 (FIG. 3A) to a full size (FIG. 3F)
approximately midway between the leading edge and the rear edge of
the plate. The guide member 40 has an upper bearing surface 40a
which is horizontal for most of its length for receiving the
corresponding upper horizontal surface of the computer 50 defining
the notch 52. Also, an undercut 40a is provided in the guide member
40 which, due to the tapering nature of the member, defines a guide
surface 42b that also varies in size as shown. Specifically, the
guide surface 40b starts with a relatively small dimension, both
with respect to height and width at its front end as shown in FIG.
2A, i.e., the end located adjacent the leading edge of the plate
34, and increases both with respect to width and height along its
length until, approximately at its intermediate point, it attains
its full shape as shown in FIG. 3F. The guide surface 40b also
extends substantially vertically for a portion of the intermediate
length of the guide member 40, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, and
then gradually attains an angular orientation towards the rear end
portion of the guide member, as shown in FIGS. 3D-3F. The guide
member 42 is configured identically to the guide member 40 with the
exception that the undercut of the guide member 42 faces to the
left as viewed in FIG. 1. The surfaces 52a and 54a of the notches
52 and 54, respectively, of the unit 50 are complementary to the
guide surfaces 40b and 42b, respectively, so that the guide
surfaces 40b and 42b extend in the spaces defined by the undercuts
in the unit 50, and the surfaces 52a and 54a extend in the
undercuts of the guide members 40 and 42, respectively, as shown in
FIG. 4. (The guide members 40 and 42 are shown slightly spaced from
the corresponding surfaces, including the surfaces 52a and 54,
defining the notches 52 and 54, respectively, in the interest of
clarity.)
To dock the unit 50 in the apparatus 10, the rear end of the unit
is inserted between the sidewalls 14 and 16 and the unit is pushed
towards the rear wall 18. Initially the width of the guide surfaces
40a and 42a are at a minimum as shown in FIG. 3A, thus enabling the
unit 50 to easily be located between the guide members 40. In this
context, and for the purposes of this example, the unit 50 is
depicted in FIG. 3A as being slightly off center by virtue of being
slightly too far to the left, as viewed in the drawing and from the
front of the unit, relative to the guide plate 34.
As the unit 50 moves towards the rear wall 18, the space between
the guide surfaces 40b and 42b progressively decreases as the
widths of the guide surfaces increase, thus enabling the unit 50 to
be centered as it approaches the intermediate portions of the guide
plate 34. More particularly, and as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E, the
guide surface 40b engages the surface 52a of the unit 12 and
biases, or cams, it in a direction from left to right until it
attains the centered position shown in FIG. 3E (and FIG. 3F). Due
to the fact that the respective heights of the guide surfaces 40b
and 42b also progressively increase in a direction towards the wall
! 8, the unit 50 is lifted upwardly by virtue of the engagement of
the upper surface of the slot 52 with the bearing surface 40a until
the unit 50 attains the vertically centered position of FIG. 3F.
Thus the unit 50 is centered both laterally and vertically in the
apparatus 10.
Further movement of the unit 50 toward the rear wall 18 locks the
unit between the guide members 40 and 42 in the locked position
shown in FIGS. 3F and FIG. 4 with the guide surfaces 40b and 42b
extending in the undercuts defining the surfaces 52a and 54a,
respectively, and visa versa. In this position the retractable tab
36 extend in the slot 56 formed in the floor of the unit 50 and the
trip switch 28 is engaged by the unit and actuated. The motor 22
thus drives the platform 28, via the bar 20, toward the rear wall
until the connector assembly 56 of the unit 50 engages the
connector assembly 30 of the apparatus 10. The motor 22 is then
deactivated and the unit 50 is completely docked in the apparatus
10 with the respective connector assemblies 30 and 58 in electrical
and mechanical engagement. Of course, the unit 50 can be disengaged
from the docking apparatus 10 by actuating a switch or the like
(not shown) which reverses the above process.
According to another feature of the present invention, the width of
the unit 20 can vary between a maximum width as shown by the solid
line in FIG. 2 and a minimum width as shown by the dashed lines,
since these variations do not alter the sizes of the notches 52 and
54, their undercuts 52a and 54a and the guide surfaces defined
thereby. Also, units 50 of varying heights, or thicknesses, can be
accommodated.
Other advantages of the present invention include the ability to
provide ports, or the like, in the sidewalls of the unit 50, since
rails or the like are not used. Further, the docking apparatus of
the present invention achieves all of the foregoing by a discreet
and unobtrusive design which is relatively simple and inexpensive
to manufacture. Also the notches 52 and 54 can be formed in the
unit 50 with conventional injection molding techniques without any
additional steps.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in
the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the
invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other
features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims
be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of
the invention.
* * * * *